Nasojejunal feedings in low-birth-weight infants

Continuous nasojejunal and intermittent nasogastric feedings were compared in a controlled prospective study in 21 low-birth-weight infants. The groups were comparable in regard to period of gestation, birth weight, head circumference, and clinical findings. Cumulative weight gain, caloric and fluid intake, percent weight lost, blood chemistry values, and complications were used in evaluating the two groups. Upon completion of the 21-day study, N/J infants were found to have had statistically better weight gain, caloric intake, and fluid intake (p = 0.05-0.001) during the early part of the study. Weight loss was less in the N/J group (p less than 0.01). Neither group had abnormalities of blood chemistry or significant complications. It is concluded that N/J feeding in the low-birth-weight neonate is a safe, effective means of early nutritional intake, with advantages most pronounced during the first two weeks of life.